1999's Breathing Tornados marked a new direction for Lee as he introduced synths and increased instrumentation into his sound. The album was a huge success, with the first single, "Cigarettes Will Kill You", finishing second in that year's Triple J Hottest 100. Lee also enjoyed success with the single "Something Borrowed, Something Blue" - from the album hey you. yes you. - reaching no 22 in 2002's Triple J Hottest 100.
In 2001 he joined forces with Evan Dando, Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick and Jason Schwartzman of Phantom Planet and acting fame. Calling themselves Dando Lee Petersson Schwartzman, they recorded a single, "Dead or Anything", at Globe Studios, New York.
During 2003 he teamed up with Ben Kweller and Ben Folds for a side project entitled The Bens. They recorded four songs together in Nashville, resulting in a self-titled EP.
In late 2004, he left Steve Pavlovic's Modular Recordings and started up his own record label, Ten Fingers. The first release on the label was the single, "Gamble Everything For Love", followed by the album, Awake Is The New Sleep in February 2005. A defining release in his career, the album showcased a much brighter, positive side of Lee's personality, in contrast to his previous darker musings. Awake Is The New Sleep received several nominations for the 2005 Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) awards, and Lee won Best Male Artist, Best Independent Release, and Single Of The Year for "Catch My Disease". Catch My Disease was also number 2 on the 2005 Triple J Hottest 100.
In September 2007, Lee released his sixth solo album, named "Ripe" after the final song on the record. The album is somewhat controversial, with most songs relating in some way to sex, lust and love. Mandy Moore features on the album in the song "Birds and Bees", and Benji Madden plays electric guitar in "Sex Without Love". It also features Sara Watkins, Rachael Yamagata, Charlotte Martin, Ned Bower, Taylor Locke and Robert Schwatzman (who is also credited for co-writing 'Sex Without Love'). It was a big step away from the spiritual "Awake is the New Sleep", but shows Lee's need for change in songs. The album was produced by John Alagia and released under the Inertia/Ten Fingers label 'Awake is the New Sleep' was released under.
February 2009 brought the release of his latest LP entitled "The Rebirth of Venus." This release also includes a bonus disk that includes six cover songs that Ben has done including "Kids" by MGMT and "New Wave" by Against Me!.
Pointless Beauty
Ben Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tryin′ to reel in the biggest catch but I barely have a hook
What's the point of speculation I want to feel it in my hands
That thing that livid ancient spark in primordial man, yeah
Once upon a time I was a reptile and somewhere I still am
I tend to act so civilized just because I can
But what about the secret that you whispered to me when you were highWhen you were young the doors were open but the moment passed you by
All I want is your pointless beauty
Everybody is trying to explain
All I want is your pointless beauty
I can′t remember my name
All I want is your pointless beauty
So pretty with you I might explode
All I want is your pointless beauty
Help me forget what I've known
Sometimes I think I might collapse under the weight of my own wise
But then I take a nap lying next to you and suddenly everything is fine
I guess it's kind of like a dress rehearsal I′m waiting for the time
There′s a void that I'm resisting ′cause I'm afraid to lose my mind (yeah)
I don′t want to lose my mind
All I want is your conversation
Between the two of our insides
All I want is your consummation
'Cause I′ve got nothing to hide
All I want is your meadow to me
Where the boxes are so full of sunshine
All I want is your pointless beauty
It's on the tip of my tongue
It's all for nothing, every cell is telling me
It′s all for nothing, it′s just another memory
It's all for nothing, every cell is telling me
It′s all for nothing...
All I want is your pointless beauty
So great that it's too much to take
Where the memories pass right through me
I can′t remember my name
And you know that I have always loved you
Even when I barely was there
All I want is your pointless beauty
To show you how much I care
To show you how much I care
The lyrics of Ben Lee's "Pointless Beauty" offer an existential exploration of existence and meaning. The opening lines allude to the consumerist nature of modern society, with everything "saying eat me drink me everywhere I look" and individuals trying to "reel in the biggest catch" despite having "barely have a hook." The artist then goes on to express a desire for more tangible experiences, something that can be felt in his hands, that would evoke the spark of primal existence.
The artist then takes a philosophical turn, exploring the contrast between acting civilized and the primal nature that resides within everyone. The lyrics describe how the individual became more civilized but missed a crucial opportunity from their youth, causing a certain pointlessness to existence. The artist finds solace in his partner's pointless beauty, love, and their conversations.
The repeated refrain of "all I want is your pointless beauty" shows the artist's desire to eschew material possessions and urges for something more meaningful. The lyrics ask for more intimate experiences and imply that finding beauty in simplicity is something worth striving for.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything is saying eat me drink me everywhere I look
The temptation to indulge in things is everywhere.
Tryin′ to reel in the biggest catch but I barely have a hook
Struggling to achieve something big, but having limited resources.
What's the point of speculation I want to feel it in my hands
Rather than speculate about something, I want to experience it.
That thing that livid ancient spark in primordial man, yeah
The desire to experience something that invokes primal emotion.
Once upon a time I was a reptile and somewhere I still am
I have a primitive side that still exists within me.
I tend to act so civilized just because I can
Civilized behavior is a conscious choice for me.
But what about the secret that you whispered to me when you were high
What happened to the intimate moment we shared when you were under the influence?
When you were young the doors were open but the moment passed you by
When you were younger, you had opportunities that you missed out on.
All I want is your pointless beauty
I desire your beauty that serves no practical purpose.
Everybody is trying to explain
Others are trying to explain something about you that I cannot see.
I can′t remember my name
Being with you overwhelms me to the point where I lose myself.
So pretty with you I might explode
You are so beautiful that it overwhelms me.
Help me forget what I've known
I want to forget the things I've learned in the past.
Sometimes I think I might collapse under the weight of my own wise
I feel overwhelmed by my own knowledge and intelligence.
But then I take a nap lying next to you and suddenly everything is fine
Being with you makes everything okay.
I guess it's kind of like a dress rehearsal I′m waiting for the time
It feels like I'm just practicing for something bigger.
There's a void that I'm resisting ′cause I'm afraid to lose my mind (yeah)
I'm avoiding a sense of emptiness because I'm afraid of losing myself.
All I want is your conversation
I want to have an intimate conversation with you.
Between the two of our insides
A conversation that reveals our deepest thoughts and feelings.
All I want is your consummation
I want to fully connect with you.
'Cause I′ve got nothing to hide
I have no secrets from you.
All I want is your meadow to me
I want to experience your world.
Where the boxes are so full of sunshine
A place where everything is pleasant and positive.
It's all for nothing, every cell is telling me
It feels like everything is meaningless.
It′s just another memory
It's something that will fade away like any other memory.
And you know that I have always loved you
My love for you always existed.
Even when I barely was there
Even when I wasn't around much in the past.
To show you how much I care
I want to demonstrate my love for you.
Writer(s): Benjamin Michael Lee
Contributed by Emma Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ЛазарьВолков-т3е
Nice!
@elizabethayers968
I love you